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2009 BMW 128I Us

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
5Owner complaints

Model-year median: 6

0Recall campaigns

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0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
5
20097
2011
Compare all 128I Us years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Exterior Lighting
2Air Bags
1Electrical System
1Structure
1Unknown Or Other
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 4 of 5 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

1 reports
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9,000 miles · Feb 8, 2011
Electrical SystemFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAILLIGHTS FAILED AND TOXIC BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTING INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES BUT OPTED TO PLACE DEODORANT TO THE AIR CONDI…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 BMW 128I. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TAILLIGHTS FAILED AND TOXIC BURNING FUMES WERE EMITTING INTO THE INTERIOR CABIN OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURES BUT OPTED TO PLACE DEODORANT TO THE AIR CONDITIONER AS A REMEDY. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT ONE POUND OF FREON HAD LEAKED THAT THE VALVE WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AFTER REPAIRS, THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE ALTERNATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNSATISFIED WITH THE RESULTS OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST BECAUSE SHE BELIEVED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO REPORT THE FAILURE AND SHE WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 9,000.

NHTSA ODI #10381186

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.